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2005 Nissan Xterra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Xterra years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Xterra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 78.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

770 reports with mileage · 75 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 412 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 242 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 167 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports6 fire reports6 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

242 reports
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74,488 miles · Jul 5, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL LEVEL SENSOR MALFUNCTION. WITH MIS-READING ON THE FUEL LEVEL, THE VEHICLE MAY RUN OUT OF FUEL WHEN IT APPEARS TO HAVE PLENTY OF FUEL IN THE TANK, CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON '05+ NISSAN XTERRA AND PATHFINDER SUV'S. THESE ARE USUALLY CORRELATED WITH A PO463 EMISSION FAILURE…

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2005 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL LEVEL SENSOR MALFUNCTION. WITH MIS-READING ON THE FUEL LEVEL, THE VEHICLE MAY RUN OUT OF FUEL WHEN IT APPEARS TO HAVE PLENTY OF FUEL IN THE TANK, CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON '05+ NISSAN XTERRA AND PATHFINDER SUV'S. THESE ARE USUALLY CORRELATED WITH A PO463 EMISSION FAILURE CODE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275806

43,000 miles · Jun 30, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN XTERRA. AT 40000 MILES IT IS COMMON FOR THIS MODEL TO HAVE THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAIL. THIS CAN CAUSE DISABLED VEHICLES DUE TO VEHICLES RUNNING OUT OF GAS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE AND THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO ASSIST OR EVEN WARN OWNERS OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS.…

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2005 NISSAN XTERRA. AT 40000 MILES IT IS COMMON FOR THIS MODEL TO HAVE THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAIL. THIS CAN CAUSE DISABLED VEHICLES DUE TO VEHICLES RUNNING OUT OF GAS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE AND THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO ASSIST OR EVEN WARN OWNERS OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS. NISSAN RECALLED 2001-2003 MODELS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT CONTINUE TO USE THE SAME FAULTY PART. NISSAN OR A MECHANIC MUST REMOVED THE GAS TANK TO GET TO THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. IT EVEN REQUIRES A SPECIAL TOOL TO REMOVE THIS UNIT. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR BETWEEN $550 & $600 FOR A $90.00 PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275411

65,000 miles · Jun 28, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

205 NISSAN XTERRA. AT APPROX 65,000MI, FUEL GAUGE STARTED GOING TO EMPTY AFTER FILLING THE TANK AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER 40-60 MILES DRIVEN, FUEL GAUGE BEGINS TO READ AGAIN, BUT IS INACCURATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275147

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY 2005 XTERRA CHECK ENGINE LIGHT JUST WENT ON AND AFTER TESTING MY ECU I RECEIVED ERROR CODE P0463, WHICH IS A FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS FOR PEOPLE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED WHO ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THEY STILL HAVE GAS IN THEIR TANK WHEN IN FACT THEY DO NOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273898

60,000 miles · Jun 1, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN X-TERRA FUEL GAUGE STOPS WORKING, MAKING YOU UNCERTAIN OF FUEL LEVEL IN VEHICLE. ALSO CAUSES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AND STAY. ACCORDING TO INTERNET RESEARCH, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, COSTING CONSUMERS AROUND $600 TO REPAIR, AS NISSAN CLAIMS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY PART.*TR

NHTSA ODI #10272608

44,500 miles · May 30, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY 2005 XTERRA CHECK ENGINE LIGHT JUST WENT ON AND AFTER TESTING MY ECU I RECEIVED ERROR CODE P0463, WHICH IS A FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS FOR PEOPLE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED WHO ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THEY STILL HAVE GAS IN THEIR TANK WHEN IN FACT THEY DO NOT. A SIMIL…

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MY 2005 XTERRA CHECK ENGINE LIGHT JUST WENT ON AND AFTER TESTING MY ECU I RECEIVED ERROR CODE P0463, WHICH IS A FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS FOR PEOPLE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED WHO ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THEY STILL HAVE GAS IN THEIR TANK WHEN IN FACT THEY DO NOT. A SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS FOUND ON THE 2000-2004 XTERRA MODELS AND A RECALL WAS PERFORMED WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP AFTER NOT GETTING ANY FUEL, POSING A GREAT DANGER. THERE IS A GENERAL CONSENSUS THAT EVERYONE WHO IS HAVING THE PROBLEM IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 2 YRS AND WITH AROUND 39K-49K. IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN PREVIOUS MODELS, AND IT WAS RECALLED, THE 2005-2007 XTERRAS, FRONTIERS, AND PATHFINDERS SHOULD GET THIS FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER!! WHY WAIT FOR ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLE DEATHS, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PROBLEM LIES IN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE VEHICLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10272416

50,000 miles · May 17, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL GAUGE IN NISSAN XTERRA 2005 AROUND 50,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268995

100,024 miles · May 17, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY EVEN WHEN FULL. MY WARRANTY IS NP LONGER IN FORCE AND I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THE COST TO US CONSUMERS, ON THIS PREXISTING FACTORY DEFECT, NOT ONLY AFFECTS XTERRAS BUT ALSO OTHER NISSAN MODELS. I.E. INTERNET LINK: HTTP://X.NISSANHELP.COM/FORUMS/XTERRA/4151-FUEL-GAU…

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY EVEN WHEN FULL. MY WARRANTY IS NP LONGER IN FORCE AND I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THE COST TO US CONSUMERS, ON THIS PREXISTING FACTORY DEFECT, NOT ONLY AFFECTS XTERRAS BUT ALSO OTHER NISSAN MODELS. I.E. INTERNET LINK: HTTP://X.NISSANHELP.COM/FORUMS/XTERRA/4151-FUEL-GAUGE-PROBLEM-SEVICE-ENGINE-SOON-LIGHT.HTML. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268933

93,000 miles · Apr 11, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN XTERRA'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE ERROR CODES AND THE TEST RESULTED WITH A P0463 CODE (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT). I HAVE NOTICES PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE BEING STUCK ON EMPTY WITH LOW FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT ON EVEN AFTER FILLING TANK TO FULL. AFTER DRIVIN…

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2005 NISSAN XTERRA'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THEM CHECK THE ERROR CODES AND THE TEST RESULTED WITH A P0463 CODE (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT). I HAVE NOTICES PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE BEING STUCK ON EMPTY WITH LOW FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT ON EVEN AFTER FILLING TANK TO FULL. AFTER DRIVING FOR FEW DAYS THE GAUGE EVENTUALLY AND SLOWLY BEGIN TO INDICATE FUEL. I'VE SINCE READ MANY FORUMS ON NISSAN SUV'S THAT HAVE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264998

37,514 miles · Apr 11, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 XTERRA: FUEL GAGE INOPERABLE. 10 DAYS AGO, FUEL GAGE QUIT WORKING. NEXT FEW DAYS, IT WOULD WORK SOMETIMES; SOMETIMES NOT. LAST 4 DAYS, IT HAS NOT WORKED AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264983

Official recalls

3

10V517000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Oct 28, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECM RELAY INSIDE THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

08V690000 · Air Bags:frontal

Dec 29, 2008

NISSAN IS RECALLING 242,720 MY 2005-2009 PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT CAN ENTER INTO THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR (CZS) HOUSING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CZS MAY INTERNALLY RUST RESULTING IN A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE TO ALERT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT CZS WITH A REDESIGNED SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2009. OWNERS IN THE OTHER STATES WILL RECEIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE SENSOR TO 10 YEARS. THESE OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY MAIL AND WILL RECEIVE A STICKER TO PLACE IN THEIR WARRANTY BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

05V458000 · Trailer Hitches

Oct 5, 2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A NISSAN ACCESSORY TOW HITCH, INADEQUATE QUALITY OF SOME WELDED JOINTS IN THE HITCH ASSEMBLY MAY RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE HITCH FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN BEING USED TO TOW.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE TRAILER SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TOW HITCHES. ON OCTOBER 17, 2005, OWNERS WERE SENT AN INTERIM LETTER ADVISING THEM NOT TO USE THE TOW HITCH UNTIL IT CAN BE REPAIRED. ANOTHER LETTER WAS SENT OUT ON NOVEMBER 21, 2005, NOTIFYING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR REPAIR. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP12004 · Transmission Failures

Opened Jun 11, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2016

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines; Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train:automatic Transmission

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

Power Train

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.